BLISSFIELD — After learning the ropes as a teenager working in the family businesses and then running his own operation in Adrian, Jack Wilson has opened a new business in Blissfield doing what he does best: locksmithing and car detailing work.

Wilson opened Blissfield Lock & Detail, located at 610 W. Adrian St., late last year. His daughter Ashley co-owns the business and handles the bookkeeping in addition to delivering vehicles for him.

While the idea of combining locksmithing and detailing may seem a bit unusual, to Wilson the basic idea is nothing new. His father owned ABC Lock and Key in Detroit and the West End Car Wash, as well as Adrian A1 Lock and Key and A1 Detailing, and Wilson went into the family businesses at age 14.

And to him, being diversified makes good business sense.

“Locksmithing helps me get through the off-season,” he said. “Most people don’t detail their cars in the wintertime.”

He learned his twin trades from working in the family business and, in the case of locksmithing, from correspondence classes as well. But “these days there’s a lot more to (being a locksmith)” than when he started out, with all the newer technologies like electronic locks on vehicles.

Much of Wilson’s locksmithing work involves vehicle lock-outs, re-keying business locks, installing deadbolts on homes, repairing vehicles’ power-window assemblies and even re-doing combinations on safes. When it comes to the detailing side of his business, he works both with individuals and with many of the area’s automotive dealers. And the latter, he said, taught him a great deal about doing the job right.

“You learn a lot by working on detailing a dealer’s cars,” he said. “They have to be perfect.”

Wilson said he has really enjoyed moving to Blissfield and opening a business there. “Blissfield is a nice little town,” he said, “and there’s lots going on here.” He also wants to do his part to support the local community by doing things like providing gift certificates for school events.

At some point, he even plans to expand his menu of detailing options by opening a drive-through so customers can simply pull in and get their vehicles cleaned.

Wilson’s business hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. He can be reached at 486-0486.

This article was written based on information provided by the business.

Lenawee in Business is a feature of The Daily Telegram business page for new businesses and businesses celebrating a major anniversary. If you have a story for a Lenawee in Business, call assistant news editor Sue Van Fleet at 265-5111, ext. 259, or email sue@lenconnect.com.